Judge rules in favor of Stillwater mayor

STILLWATER - A judge today ruled in favor of Mayor Nathan Bates, saying the mayor's use of a city computer to send e-mails for personal business was not a felony crime.

By NOLAN CLAY | Modified: December 20, 2010 at 10:14 am | Published: December 20, 2010 Comment on this article

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STILLWATER - A judge today ruled in favor of Mayor Nathan Bates, saying the mayor's use of a city computer to send e-mails for personal business was not a felony crime.

photo - Stillwater Mayor Nathan Bates arrives smiling as he makes his way into a Payne County courtrroom before a judge unsealed an indictment against him, Monday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2010. A muticounty grand jury returned the indictment last week. Photo by Jim Beckel

Stillwater Mayor Nathan Bates arrives smiling as he makes his way into a Payne County courtrroom before a judge unsealed an indictment against him, Monday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2010. A muticounty grand jury returned the indictment last week. Photo by Jim Beckel

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A prosecutor said he will appeal the decision by Payne County Special Judge Phillip Corley.

Bates, an Oklahoma State University graduate student, remains free on bond. He said prosecutors are wasting taxpayers' funds by appealing. Bates is charged with violating Oklahoma's computer crimes law. He would have faced trial if the judge had ruled against him.